Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, delivered a keynote address titled “Decoding the Future Insight: Global Perspectives” at the 2026 Global MOOC and Online Education Conference, held from November 2–4, 2026, at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam. Under the theme “Reallocating Intelligence: Transforming Education for a Human-AI Future,” the conference brought together university leaders and education experts from around the world to exchange perspectives on the future of higher education amid rapid technological advancements and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI).
In his keynote address on November 3, Professor Dr. Wilert outlined five major factors expected to shape the world by 2030, drawing on the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025. These include technological change, the transition to a green economy, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts, and geopolitical fragmentation. He emphasized the importance of preparing the workforce for the future by developing critical thinking, creativity, technological proficiency, and essential human skills such as empathy and adaptability. He also highlighted the need to move beyond using AI merely as a tool toward fostering creative collaboration between humans and AI.
These ideas reflect Chulalongkorn University’s vision of extending education beyond the boundaries of the university and into society through the Chulalongkorn University School of Lifelong Learning (Chula XL) and its Chula XL Hub platform. These initiatives bring the university’s knowledge and expertise to a wider audience, providing people of all ages with opportunities to access learning across a variety of disciplines, including Digital and AI, Engineering and Technology, Languages and Global Communication, and Health and Well-being. Through these programs, learners can develop new skills, strengthen their ability to adapt to change, and apply their knowledge in professional and social contexts. This reflects the university’s role in promoting lifelong learning and creating a positive impact on society.
In addition, Professor Dr. Parichart Sthapitanonda, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, participated in a panel discussion titled “Unlocking Human Potential: New Competencies for Educators and Learners” on November 3. The discussion provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the essential competencies required of educators and learners in an era when AI continues to play an increasingly significant role in education.
The conference was organized by the Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance and the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education, with Tsinghua University and Vietnam National University, Hanoi, serving as co-hosts.
